Somersworth man facing prison time for two bomb scares in May

DOVER — A Somersworth man was indicted by a Strafford County grand jury on charges that he made two bomb threats at two busy locations in May.

Gary Goss, 48, of 70 Colonial Village, Somersworth, was charged with two false reports as to explosives after he allegedly made two calls within a 45-minute period to a 15-year-old at The Works Athletic Club and a 59-year-old at Walmart, telling them that a bomb was present and would go off May 8.

Police responded to The Works on Route 108 after the first bomb threat was reported at 7:55 a.m. As officers responded to the gym, police contacted the facility to alert them and evacuate the building.

While emergency personnel were finishing up at The Works, the second call was made to the nearby Walmart on Union Street. That store was also evacuated and searched, but no explosives were found at either location.

Police arrested Goss May 11.

Goss allegedly made the calls, knowing the report to be false, according to the indictments, which the grand jury handed up July 18. He is scheduled to appear at an arraignment Aug. 1 at 9 a.m.

Each count of making false reports is a Class B Felony and could result in up to 3 ½ to 7 years in prison, if he is convicted.